Mark
Vlasic was a standout on the gridiron and
basketball floor at Center High School: in football he was named
conference MVP, All WPIAL, East Coast Elite Eleven All Star, and Big
33 All Star, and in basketball he finished his high school career
with several records, including game, season, and career rebounds.
He also had the fifth highest point total and was selected for the
Roundball Classic, but an injury prevented him from playing in that
game. Offered a full ride to the University of Iowa, Mark played on
five bowl teams with the Hawkeyes, including a redshirt year. He
served as backup to All American Chuck Long until his senior year,
when he led the nation in passing efficiency until an injury in the
third game of the season. He didn’t return to the lineup until the
third quarter of Michigan game, trailing 14-0. Mark then threw for
200 yards and led the Hawkeyes to a comeback win. Mark finished the
season strong, being named Holiday Bowl MVP, All Big Ten, and All
Academic Big Ten, and he also received several Hawkeye leadership awards. Mark was a
San Diego Chargers fourth round draft pick in 1987, but his
professional career was hampered by injuries. He started six games
in 1988 before a knee injury finished him for that year and 1989 as
well but he played the 1990 season as starting quarterback for the
Chargers. Mark signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1991 as a free
agent and was with the team for three years, but injuries again
prevented him from establishing himself. He signed with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers in 1994 and retired after the season. Mark was later vice
president in the employment benefit division of UMB Bank.
Mark
Vlasic was a standout on the gridiron and
basketball floor at Center High School: in football he was named
conference MVP, All WPIAL, East Coast Elite Eleven All Star, and Big
33 All Star, and in basketball he finished his high school career
with several records, including game, season, and career rebounds.
He also had the fifth highest point total and was selected for the
Roundball Classic, but an injury prevented him from playing in that
game. Offered a full ride to the University of Iowa, Mark played on
five bowl teams with the Hawkeyes, including a redshirt year. He
served as backup to All American Chuck Long until his senior year,
when he led the nation in passing efficiency until an injury in the
third game of the season. He didn’t return to the lineup until the
third quarter of Michigan game, trailing 14-0. Mark then threw for
200 yards and led the Hawkeyes to a comeback win. Mark finished the
season strong, being named Holiday Bowl MVP, All Big Ten, and All
Academic Big Ten, and he also received several Hawkeye leadership awards. Mark was a
San Diego Chargers fourth round draft pick in 1987, but his
professional career was hampered by injuries. He started six games
in 1988 before a knee injury finished him for that year and 1989 as
well but he played the 1990 season as starting quarterback for the
Chargers. Mark signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1991 as a free
agent and was with the team for three years, but injuries again
prevented him from establishing himself. He signed with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers in 1994 and retired after the season. Mark was later vice
president in the employment benefit division of UMB Bank.